# Iceland’s south coast and glacier country · Three bases with a stop in the middle

[Canonical itinerary](<https://zukio.com/trips/europe/open-jaw/iceland-s-south-coast-and-glacier-country-z0622/>)

Three bases with a stop in the middle

- Region: Europe
- Trip format: Open jaw
- Nights: 10
- Interests: Food & Drink, History, Nature, Science

## Route and nights

- Reykjavík · 3 night(s)
- Vík · 3 night(s)
- Höfn · 4 night(s)

Tradeoff: A middle stop adds a different experience and a hotel change. Keep both move days light.

Compare: Drive or guided ground transport

## Day-by-day agenda

Suggested schedule. Times are local. Check hours and availability for your dates.

### Day 1 · Reykjavík

- 15:30 to 16:15 · Drop bags and settle in · Hotel Klettur
- 16:45 to 18:00 · Walk Laugavegur toward the city center · Laugavegur, Reykjavík. Keep this as a flexible first look after arrival.
- 18:15 to 19:30 · Have dinner around Hlemmur · Hlemmur, Reykjavík
Overnight: [Hotel Klettur](<https://www.hotels.com/ho381210/hotel-klettur-reykjavik-iceland/>) · Reykjavík

### Day 2 · Reykjavík

- 08:30 to 09:20 · Have breakfast at a bakery · Laugavegur, Reykjavík
- 09:45 to 11:15 · Visit Hallgrímskirkja and walk down Skólavörðustígur · Hallgrímskirkja, Reykjavík. Check visitor access before adding the tower.
- 11:30 to 12:50 · Browse a food hall and get lunch · Hlemmur, Reykjavík
- 13:30 to 15:00 · Walk around Harpa and the Sun Voyager · Harpa, Reykjavík
- 15:20 to 16:30 · Follow the waterfront toward the Old Harbor · Old Harbor, Reykjavík
- 18:15 to 19:45 · Eat dinner near the Old Harbor · Old Harbor, Reykjavík
Overnight: [Hotel Klettur](<https://www.hotels.com/ho381210/hotel-klettur-reykjavik-iceland/>) · Reykjavík

### Day 3 · Reykjavík

- 08:30 to 09:20 · Have breakfast near the hotel · Hlemmur, Reykjavík
- 10:00 to 11:30 · Visit the Settlement Exhibition · Aðalstræti, Reykjavík. Use the archaeological remains to put the old city in context. Check museum hours for your date. [Official information](<https://reykjavik.is/en/settlement-exhibition>)
- 11:45 to 12:40 · Get lunch around Austurvöllur · Austurvöllur, Reykjavík
- 13:10 to 15:15 · Walk around Tjörnin and choose a short museum stop · Tjörnin, Reykjavík. Make the National Museum the afternoon anchor if its hours and your energy fit.
- 15:35 to 16:45 · Pick up food and water for the South Coast drive · Reykjavík
- 18:00 to 19:15 · Have dinner near the hotel · Hlemmur, Reykjavík
Overnight: [Hotel Klettur](<https://www.hotels.com/ho381210/hotel-klettur-reykjavik-iceland/>) · Reykjavík

### Day 4 · Vík

- 08:15 to 09:15 · Have breakfast, check out, and collect the car · Reykjavík. Allow extra time if collecting a rental today.
- 09:30 to 11:45 · Drive toward Hvolsvöllur with a rest stop · Hvolsvöllur. Check road conditions before leaving and keep the schedule flexible.
- 12:00 to 13:00 · Stop for lunch in Hvolsvöllur · Hvolsvöllur
- 13:30 to 15:10 · Visit Seljalandsfoss if access is open · Seljalandsfoss. Use the main viewpoint. Skip the behind-the-falls path if access is restricted. [Official information](<https://www.visiticeland.com/article/the-south-coast/>)
- 15:25 to 17:30 · Continue to Vík and check in · Hótel Kría, Vík
- 18:30 to 20:00 · Have dinner in Vík · Vík
Overnight: [Hótel Kría](<https://www.hotels.com/ho732114048/hotel-kria-vik-i-myrdal-iceland/>) · Vík

### Day 5 · Vík

- 08:30 to 09:20 · Have breakfast in Vík · Vík
- 09:45 to 11:15 · Explore the village around the church viewpoint · Vík í Mýrdal Church
- 11:40 to 12:40 · Get lunch in the village · Vík
- 13:00 to 14:30 · Spend time by the village waterfront if conditions allow · Vík. Stay on established paths and well back from the water. Use an indoor break if conditions are poor.
- 14:50 to 16:15 · Pick up road snacks and leave time to rest · Vík
- 18:00 to 19:30 · Have dinner within the village · Vík
Overnight: [Hótel Kría](<https://www.hotels.com/ho732114048/hotel-kria-vik-i-myrdal-iceland/>) · Vík

### Day 6 · Vík

- 08:00 to 09:00 · Have breakfast and check road and coastal conditions · Vík
- 09:20 to 11:00 · Visit the Dyrhólaey viewpoints if the access road is open · Dyrhólaey. Follow access and seasonal closures. If unavailable, keep the morning for Skógafoss. [Official information](<https://www.visiticeland.com/article/the-south-coast/>)
- 11:35 to 12:35 · Have lunch around Skógar · Skógar
- 12:50 to 14:30 · See Skógafoss from the lower viewpoint · Skógafoss. Use the stairs only if conditions and your group are comfortable.
- 15:00 to 16:20 · Choose a safe afternoon stop near Vík · Vík. Reynisfjara is optional only if official advisories and on-site warning signs allow access. Leave immediately if access is restricted. [Official information](<https://www.visiticeland.com/article/reynisfjara-black-sand-beach-is-dangerous/>)
- 18:15 to 19:45 · Have dinner in Vík · Vík
Overnight: [Hótel Kría](<https://www.hotels.com/ho732114048/hotel-kria-vik-i-myrdal-iceland/>) · Vík

### Day 7 · Höfn

- 08:00 to 09:00 · Have breakfast and check out · Hótel Kría, Vík
- 09:15 to 11:15 · Drive east to Kirkjubæjarklaustur and take a rest break · Kirkjubæjarklaustur. Keep the transfer flexible for weather and road conditions.
- 11:30 to 12:30 · Get lunch before the longer stretch east · Kirkjubæjarklaustur
- 12:45 to 15:45 · Continue east on Route 1 with time for a rest stop · Route 1, South Iceland
- 16:00 to 17:30 · Check in and get oriented in Höfn · Höfn - Berjaya Iceland Hotels
- 18:15 to 19:45 · Have dinner near the harbor · Höfn
Overnight: [Höfn - Berjaya Iceland Hotels](<https://www.hotels.com/ho438433/hotel-edda-hofn-hofn-iceland/>) · Höfn

### Day 8 · Höfn

- 08:00 to 08:55 · Have breakfast and pack a lunch · Höfn
- 09:10 to 10:40 · Drive to Jökulsárlón with a weather buffer · Jökulsárlón
- 10:45 to 12:15 · Explore the marked shore viewpoints at Jökulsárlón · Jökulsárlón. Keep this a shore visit. Check park notices and use marked paths.
- 12:15 to 13:00 · Have lunch near the glacier lagoon · Jökulsárlón
- 13:20 to 15:15 · Visit Fjallsárlón for a second lagoon perspective · Fjallsárlón. The optional guided boat tour meets at Fjallsárlón. Check seasonal availability and use the operator’s actual arrival and departure times. Skip the tour if conditions or the schedule do not fit.
- 15:30 to 17:15 · Return to Höfn with daylight to spare · Höfn
- 18:15 to 19:45 · Have dinner in town · Höfn
Overnight: [Höfn - Berjaya Iceland Hotels](<https://www.hotels.com/ho438433/hotel-edda-hofn-hofn-iceland/>) · Höfn

### Day 9 · Höfn

- 08:45 to 09:45 · Have breakfast in Höfn · Höfn
- 10:00 to 11:40 · Walk the harbor and Ósland paths if conditions allow · Ósland, Höfn. Keep the walk short if winds are strong.
- 12:00 to 13:15 · Choose a seafood lunch near the harbor · Höfn Harbor. Check restaurant hours and the day’s menu.
- 13:45 to 15:45 · Make a short outing to the Stokksnes area · Stokksnes. Check current access and any entry fee before leaving. Keep the afternoon in Höfn if visibility is poor.
- 16:15 to 17:15 · Leave time for a café or a second harbor walk · Höfn
- 18:30 to 19:45 · Have dinner in town · Höfn
Overnight: [Höfn - Berjaya Iceland Hotels](<https://www.hotels.com/ho438433/hotel-edda-hofn-hofn-iceland/>) · Höfn

### Day 10 · Höfn

- 07:45 to 08:30 · Have breakfast and pick up lunch supplies · Höfn
- 08:45 to 11:00 · Drive west to Skaftafell and allow time to park · Skaftafell
- 11:00 to 12:00 · Start at the Skaftafell visitor center · Skaftafellsstofa. Check current trail conditions before choosing an afternoon walk. [Official information](<https://www.vatnajokulsthjodgardur.is/en/areas/skaftafell/skaftafellsstofa>)
- 12:00 to 12:45 · Have a packed lunch before walking · Skaftafell
- 13:00 to 15:00 · Walk a marked Skaftafell trail that fits your group · Skaftafell. Choose the route based on daylight, weather, and the visitor center’s advice. Do not add an independent glacier walk.
- 15:15 to 17:45 · Return to Höfn with time for a rest stop · Höfn
- 18:30 to 20:00 · Have a final dinner in Höfn · Höfn
Overnight: [Höfn - Berjaya Iceland Hotels](<https://www.hotels.com/ho438433/hotel-edda-hofn-hofn-iceland/>) · Höfn

### Day 11 · Höfn

- 08:00 to 09:00 · Have breakfast near your stay · Höfn
- 09:00 to 10:00 · Check out and load the car · Höfn - Berjaya Iceland Hotels
- 10:00 to 10:45 · Take a short harbor walk if your onward schedule allows · Höfn Harbor. If you are leaving via Reykjavík or Keflavík, allow a separate travel day or adjust the last overnight rather than relying on a same-morning connection.